Solution (source code)

= Solution

The countable form of the <omitting types theorem> is as follows. Let $L$ be a countable <first-order language> and $T$ a consistent <first-order theory> in $L$. For any countable family $p_0,p_1,\ldots$ of <nonprincipal partial types> in finite tuples of variables, there is an at most countable <first-order model> of $T$ omitting all of them. Nonprincipality means that no $T$-consistent <first-order formula> $\theta(\mathbf x)$ entails every member of the type modulo $T$. A complete <first-order theory> with nonisolated <complete types> is the usual special case; neither an uncountable language nor an arbitrary uncountable family is covered by this statement.

Use the <Godel completeness theorem> to pass between consistency and the existence of a <first-order model>. Adjoin a countable stock $C$ of new constants. Construct finite conditions $\Gamma_s$ with $T\cup\Gamma_s$ consistent, interleaving three countable lists of requirements: decide each $L(C)$-sentence; provide a fresh constant witness for each existential sentence; and, for each $p_i$ and each tuple $\mathbf t$ of closed terms of its arity, add $\neg\psi(\mathbf t)$ for some $\psi\in p_i$. Sentence decisions preserve consistency by choosing a consistent sign. For an existential sentence $\exists x\,\varphi(x)$, add $\exists x\,\varphi(x)\to\varphi(c)$ with $c$ fresh for that condition and <first-order formula>. This is consistent: any <first-order model> of the old condition can interpret $c$ as a witness if one exists, and otherwise arbitrarily in the nonempty domain.

The omission step is the key <Henkin omission extension lemma>. Let $\sigma(\mathbf c)$ be the <logical conjunction> of the current finite condition, listing every new constant occurring either there or in $\mathbf t$. If adding $\neg\psi(\mathbf t)$ were inconsistent for every $\psi\in p_i$, then $T$ would entail $\sigma(\mathbf c)\to\psi(\mathbf t(\mathbf c))$ for each such $\psi$. Replace the new constants by fresh variables $\mathbf z$ and form
$$
\theta(\mathbf x)=\exists\mathbf z\bigl(\sigma(\mathbf z)\land\bigwedge_j x_j=t_j(\mathbf z)\bigr).
$$
It is consistent with $T$ and entails every $\psi\in p_i$, contradicting nonprincipality. Hence some omission extension is consistent. The construction need not be computable; countability merely permits all these requirements to be scheduled.

Let $T^*$ be the deductive closure of $T\cup\bigcup_s\Gamma_s$. It is consistent by the <finite character of formal proofs>, complete by sentence decisions, and has the <Henkin witness property>. Its <term model> consists of closed terms modulo provable <logical equality> and has at most countably many elements. The <truth lemma for a Henkin term model> proves that it is a <first-order model> of $T^*$. Every tuple in it is represented by closed terms, whose scheduled omission requirement supplies a negated member of each corresponding type. Thus
$$
\boxed{\text{there is an at most countable }M\models T\text{ omitting every }p_i.}
$$

A <universal sentence> has the form $\forall\mathbf x\,\psi(\mathbf x)$ with quantifier-free $\psi$, including an empty quantifier block. Embeddings preserve and reflect quantifier-free truth, so <universal sentences> pass to <substructures of a first-order structure>. For the converse <Łoś-Tarski preservation theorem>, let $T_\forall$ be all universal consequences of an arbitrary <first-order theory> $T$, and take $A\models T_\forall$. We claim $T\cup\operatorname{Diag}(A)$ is consistent, where the <diagram of a structure> contains both atomic and negated atomic sentences in constants naming the elements of $A$.

If inconsistent, the <compactness theorem> gives a finite <logical conjunction> $\delta(c_{a_1},\ldots,c_{a_r})$ of diagram sentences for which $T\models\neg\delta(c_{a_1},\ldots,c_{a_r})$. The added constants do not occur in $T$, so
$$
T\models\forall x_1\cdots x_r\,\neg\delta(x_1,\ldots,x_r).
$$
This <universal sentence> belongs to $T_\forall$ but is false in $A$ at the named tuple, a contradiction. The <compactness theorem> therefore produces $B\models T$ containing an isomorphic embedded copy of $A$. The signed diagram ensures a genuine <substructure of a first-order structure>: <functions> are preserved, constants are included and relations are preserved and reflected. If the <first-order model> class of $T$ is closed under <substructures of a first-order structure>, this copy, and hence $A$, is a <first-order model> of $T$. We have proved
$$
\boxed{\operatorname{Mod}(T)=\operatorname{Mod}(T_\forall).}
$$
No countability assumption is needed for this second argument. An inconsistent <first-order theory> is covered as well, with a universally false axiom and an empty <first-order model> class.